10 Top-Rated Day Trips from Glasgow

You don't need to wander far from Glasgow to find a host of great attractions to visit. A short drive, train ride, or ferry trip will take you to some of the area's most stunning scenery and interesting historical sites. From exploring mountain ranges and castles to beautiful islands and coastal areas, there are plenty of things to do. Pack a picnic, head for the hills, and see some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland.

1 Stirling's Historic Battles and Castle

Stirling's Historic Battles and Castle

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Just 30 minutes from Glasgow by car or direct train (and about 45 minutes from Edinburgh), the town of Stirling is famous as the location of the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 - when Robert the Bruce defeated the English invaders. It was also where legendary William Wallace beat the English at the Battle of Stirling Bridge, a victory for Scottish independence. (Both battles are commemorated at the excellent Bannockburn Heritage Centre). Between Stirling and the quaint village of Bridge of Allan stands the majestic Wallace Monument, a spectacular 246-step tower with sweeping views of the area, as well as artifacts that belonged to Wallace. The spectacular 12th-century Stirling Castle, built atop a 250-foot volcanic crag, has played an important role throughout Scotland's rich history and is open to visitors.

2 Isle of Arran: Little Scotland

Isle of Arran: Little Scotland

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Known as "Scotland in Miniature," the lovely Isle of Arran is only 267 square kilometers in size but contains examples of just about everything that makes Scotland one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. Arran is a one-hour ferry ride from Ardrossan, which itself is an easy train trip from Glasgow. Like the mainland, the island is marked by magnificent mountains, moorland, sandy beaches, an abundance of wildlife, castles, fishing harbors, and great golf. It's also a walker's paradise, and buses run regularly around the island from the ferry terminal at Brodick to its various tourist attractions.

Although its highlights - including Brodick Castle and Goat Fell Mountain (2,866 feet) - can be seen in a day (including the ferry ride), you will want to spend at least a few days exploring this wonderful part of Scotland.

Address: Tourist Information Office, Brodick Pier, Isle of Arran

3 Benmore Botanic Garden

Benmore Botanic Garden, set amidst spectacularly rugged mountain scenery north of Glasgow at the southern end of Loch Eck, is part of Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden. The avenue of giant Californian redwoods planted in 1863 line the long driveway to the property, where you'll be rewarded with a chance to wander around more than 300 different species of rhododendron and azaleas.

Other highlights include Puck's Hut, a wooden memorial to Isaac Bayley Balfour who had the idea to create the gardens, and a bronze statue dating from 1875 (A boy with two dolphins) donated by the owner of adjacent Benmore House (now an outdoor learning center). Nearby Argyll Forest Park is also well worth checking out. Established in 1935, it was the first of its kind in Britain and boasts an impressive 186 mi network of footpaths.

4 Loch Lomond and the West Highlands

Loch Lomond and the West Highlands

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"Yon bonnie banks and yon bonnie braes" of Scotland's largest freshwater loch are only half an hour from Glasgow, at the southern end of Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park. In addition to the haunting beauty and romantic vistas that the song speaks of, Loch Lomond is a center for boating and other water sports. Golfers head for the Carrick Golf Course at Cameron House, one of Scotland's finest championship-standard golf courses, with views of Ben Lomond across the waters of the loch. Hiking and bicycle trails abound throughout the park, and Loch Lomond cruises depart from Balloch, at the southern end of the lake. Although you can easily reach the loch by train, Loch Lomond is often part of tours of the West Highlands from Glasgow. The full-day guided West Highland Lochs, Glencoe and Castles Small Group Day Trip from Glasgow includes attractions such as Kilchurn Castle, the town of Inveraray, and Castle Stalker on Loch Laich.

5 Newark Castle

Newark Castle

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In the industrial town of Port Glasgow, 25 miles west of Glasgow's city center, stands the 15th-century Newark Castle. The mansion, with a gatehouse and tower, was once the seat of the (sometimes murderous) Maxwell family. Although the Tower House rooms are not open to visitors, you can see the building's lovely Jacobean exterior and the fascinating "below stairs" rooms with exhibits relating to the working conditions and lives of the family's staff.

Another former industrial center is Greenock, the birthplace of engineer James Watt, who made the Clyde navigable. It's also famous for being the final resting place of "Highland Mary," immortalized by Robbie Burns.

6 Gourock: Granny Kempock's Stone

By the coast at Gourock (28 mi west of Glasgow) stands an interesting six foot-tall slate monolith reputed to have been a meeting place for Druids. Fishermen also used to make small offerings in return for fine weather and good catches, and it's still customary for local newlyweds to circle the stone to bring good luck to their marriage. The views across the Clyde Estuary toward the southwest Highlands make the journey to this seaside town worth the effort. The Gourock Highland Games are held here in May.

7 Dumbarton Castle

Dumbarton Castle perches dramatically on a basalt rock on the north bank of the Clyde facing Port Glasgow. This strategically important stronghold was started in the 6th century and was central to the ancient kingdom of Strathclyde's rule over the surrounding area until 1018. Only the dungeon and 12th-century gateway remain of this medieval edifice where Mary Stuart embarked for France at age five. Other highlights include the wonderful views, the Georgian artillery fortifications, and the Governor's House with its interesting artifacts from the castle.

8 Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands

Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands

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What trip to Scotland would be complete without visiting Loch Ness, home of the fabled sea serpent, Nessie? The 23-mile-long deep body of water fills the geological fissure known as the Great Glen, whose steep green walls make it one of Scotland's loveliest sights. Hour-long boat trips from Fort Augustus or drives along the loch's shore reveal stunning rocky peaks of the Scottish Highlands. Tours to Great Glen, such as the 12-hour Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands Small Group Day Trip from Glasgow, stop in the remote and atmospheric Glencoe, scene of the historic massacre of the MacDonald clan in 1692. The entire region is filled with breathtaking scenery of high mountains, rocky ridges, fast-running rivers, and tumbling waterfalls.

9 The Hill House, Helensburgh

Lovers of Art Nouveau and Arts & Crafts style won't be disappointed by a visit to Hill House in Helensburgh. Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh after plans were drawn up for his Art Lover's House, Hill House was built in 1904 overlooking the Firth of Clyde. Surrounded by a delightful garden, the house is somewhat reminiscent of Scottish fortified manor houses, while the figural elements, rounded edges, oriel windows, and small chimneystacks bear all the hallmarks of the gifted designer. In the wide hall, the dark wooden panels contrast with the light wallpaper, supplemented with abstract patterns and delicate pastel shades, while Art Nouveau patterns in pink and light green soften the effect of the walls, windows, and lamps. The bedroom on the first floor above the lounge is regarded as the most successful of Mackintosh's "White Rooms." Mackintosh also designed the furniture, and his wife, Margaret Macdonald, designed and made many of the textiles and a stunning fireplace panel.

10 The Forth and Clyde Canal and the Falkirk Wheel

Falkirk Wheel

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The Forth and Clyde Canal, built in 1790, winds its way through the Strathkelvin District to the north of Glasgow. The fully restored 35-mile waterway was an important link for seagoing vessels between the Firths of Clyde and Forth, joining the River Clyde at Bowling and the River Forth at Grangemouth. Today, you can take a very pleasant outing from Kirkintilloch aboard one of the vessels operated by the Forth and Clyde Canal Society. Be sure to allow time to explore the spectacular Falkirk Wheel at the eastern end of the canal. Capable of carrying up to eight boats, this unique piece of modern engineering - part sculpture, part boatlift - connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal near the important industrial town of Falkirk. Visitors can experience the hour-long journey aboard special boats and learn more about its operation at the visitor center.

11 Summerlee - The Museum of Scottish Industrial Life

The museum of Scottish industrial life is based around the site of 19th-century Summerlee Ironworks - opened in 1836 and once one of the region's biggest employers. The sightseeing trip is fun for kids as well as adults, with Scotland's only still-operating vintage tramway, a recreated mine, workers cottages, and various Victorian steam engines. Guided tours of the abandoned mines are also available.

Address: Heritage Way, Coatbridge

12 Paisley Abbey and the Thomas Coats Memorial Church

Thomas Coats Memorial Church

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Some surviving parts of Paisley Abbey date from its construction in 1163. Highlights of a visit include the choir stalls and a walk up 197 steps to the Tower. Another Paisley landmark is the ornate Thomas Coats Memorial Church. Funded by one of Scotland's leading textile manufacturers and completed in 1894, its intricate stonework was the product of numerous apprentice stonemasons. While in the area, pay a visit to Paisley Museum and Art Gallery, with its interesting displays relating to the development of the textile industry and the story of the distinctive "drop motif" on the world-famous Paisley pattern. Exhibits include the old looms on which the best-selling designs were produced, as well as original woven and embroidered shawls from Kashmir, the inspiration for the Scottish production.